In my attempt to play different game styles..

[Aztec Priest]

I'm still new to Civ IV and every game I try a different style. I've played a Military Domination game with Brennus. A Cultural Domination game with Ramesses and a "I Don't know what I'm Doing" game for my first attempt.

Now I've stumbled upon the Unrestrained Leaders. I can't wait to start trying out some new play styles. I want to try an ultimate Builder game using unrestrained leaders. I want to be peaceful throughout the whole game, only declaring war when it is necessary. Not to gain resources, but when I feel I've been disrespected or someone has declared war against a close friend. In other words a Morality game. My goals are to dominate in Techs and Culture. Most likely I'm looking at a Diplomatic, Cultural or Space Race victory. If I do choose a religion I would like to choose it carefully and stick with it until Free Religion. I will not use certain civics like Slavery, Police State or Theocracy (All religions are welcome). So what combination should I use. I think I definately want either a Philosophical or Industrious leader.

I was thinking either:

Pericles or Louis with the Arabians
Huayna Capac with the Holy Roman Empire

What do you think would be the best combo for my strategy?

 

[eewallace]

How about Ramsses of Arabia or Ramsses of India? With that combo, you can probably nab one of the early religions and try for a cultural victory using the AP.

 

[TyranusBonehead]

It was suggested to me to try unrestricted leaders for SS victory.

Darius w/ Holy Romans to be specific.

 

[Aztec Priest]

It was suggested to me to try unrestricted leaders for SS victory.

Darius w/ Holy Romans to be specific.

Darius does seem like a Financial Guru which leads to Big Science.

 

[Aztec Priest]

How about Ramsses of Arabia or Ramsses of India? With that combo, you can probably nab one of the early religions and try for a cultural victory using the AP.

Hmmm. I like the Fast Worker aspect - but the Masoleum doesn't help much for a peaceful nation.

Ramesses would definately work with the culture rich library of the Arabians.

 

[Aztec Priest]

It was suggested to me to try unrestricted leaders for SS victory.

Darius w/ Holy Romans to be specific.

I can see how the Organized would cut the cost of the Rathaus.

 

[GT_OKEZ]

I play Darius ( FIN/ORG) about 80% of the time with a tendency to sometimes choose Victoria ( Imp/Fin) or Ragnar ( Agg/Fin) . Notice I am particularly fond of the Financial trait as many are and for good reason .

Theres pretty much nothing bad about Darius . Nor is there any reason to place in him with a Civ other than Persia ( the UnRLeaders mode) . The Persian UU ( Immortal) is by far one of the best in the game . Immortals are especially a blessing in MP games as most human players I have played love to axe rush . The 100% bonus for Immortals against axemen really ruin a warmongers day . Then of course , with those Immortals , you can become an early warmonger .
The Persian UB is awesome too . It doesn't get the praise it deserves because it comes a little later ( replaces the grocer) . For me its a saving grace because of the Apothecary's +2 health bonus . Its right around the time you can build Apothecarys that you need that health bonus to make your cities bigger . The 25% gold and the ability to turn to citizens in to merchants is also nice . The Apothecarys give Cyrus/Darius the EXP trait basically . And with Darius , it pretty much makes him a Fin/Org/Exp leader which = AWESOME .

One can use Darius for any kind of gameplay , war or peace his traits are invaluable .

If I am dead set on warmongering , then I might also choose Victoria or Ragnar like I said earlier . Victoria's Imp trait gives one the ability to settler spam and if your fighting , your GG emergence is increased 100% which is great for the warmonger . Her financial trait keeps the money flowing and the stock exchange is nice . Ragnar's Agg trait is nice for the free combat 1 promotion which opens the door to better promotions right off the bat . Barracks at 1/2 price are nice and his UB is great if your by the sea and you can build it early . I like Berserkers a lot and his financial trait helps the money flow .

I also like Elizabeth as a 4th favorite . Fin/Phi are nice especially if your focused on GPs, specialist economy , and/or hybrid economy . In vanilla Civ 4 I considered Elizabeth the best leader . I find Elizabeth less useful in BTS since I can use Darius with the Persian Civ specialities . BTS really made Org trait better and if you construct the right buildings and pick the right civics you can still compete well with a Phi leader for GPs .

 

[Aztec Priest]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up using Louis of the Arabians. I won a cultural victory around 1930 and got my first "Augustus Caesar" title. Unrestrained leaders does make it confusing though. Montezuma with Praetorians is scary! I think I may stick to regular games, no unrestrained leaders. I had to remember who was leading who and what traits / UU's they had. I'd like to try a Philosophical leader next and try out this "specialist economy" I've heard so much about. Too bad they don't have a Philosophical / Industrious leader, but I can see how that can be too powerful.